At the various Tiers, there are some components which must be in place. These components include the following:

Tier I

  • Meets Tier I Intervention Design Criteria, including the progress monitoring schedule
  • Implementation of research-based interventions
  • The same progress monitoring tool used consistently in order to make appropriate comparisons with baseline and benchmark
  • No gaps in progress monitoring, with the exception of summer and holidays. If there is a gap, there is indication that progress monitoring was reinitiated and data collected before any decision was made to move student to Tier II.
  • Evaluation of data and decisions are documented with appropriate notes and signatures.
  • Summary of parent participation
  • Hearing screening
  • Vision screening

Tier II

  • Analysis of Tier I research-based interventions
  • Adjustments made based on data, such as modifying, discontinuing of the intervention or implementing a new scientific research-based intervention.
  • Meets Tier II Intervention Design Criteria, including the progress monitoring schedule
  • The same progress monitoring tool used consistently in order to make appropriate comparisons with baseline and benchmark
  • No gaps in progress monitoring, with the exception of summer and holidays. If there is a gap, there is indication that progress monitoring was reintiated and data collected before any decision was made to move student to Tier III (or testing)
  • Evaluation of data and decisions are documented with appropriate notes and signatures
  • Summary of parent participation

Tier III

  • Analysis of Tier II research-based interventions
  • Adjustments made based on data, such as modifying, discontinuing of the intervention or implementing a new scientific research-based intervention.
  • Meets Tier III Intervention Design Criteria, including the progress monitoring schedule
  • A detail Tier III intervention plan was developed with all the required components
  • The same progress monitoring tool used consistently in order to make appropriate comparisons with baseline and benchmark
  • No gaps in progress monitoring, with the exception of summer and holidays. If there is a gap, there is indication that progress monitoring was reintiated and data collected before any decision was made to move student to Tier IV
  • Evaluation of data and decisions are documented with appropriate notes and signatures
  • Progress monitoring data indicates the need for the most intense level of interventions, which would be special education
  • Intervention Fidelity Checklist was completed
  • There is evidence within the file that clearly indicates that it was appropriate to check "yes" on the Intervention Fidelity Checklist
  • Speech language screening
  • Social/developmental history
  • Observations by an independent observer for the purpose of intervention and to inform instruction
  • Summary of parent participation
  • The file can pass a stranger test, especially the Tier III plan and documentation. This is especially important for when the psychologists are writing the report. What does stranger test mean? It means that a stranger can pick up the file (such as an attorney) and know what was done.

The following support documents assist with maintaining compliance:

K-8 Academic Intervention Design

K-8 Behavioral Intervention Design

Reflective Questions for Decision Making for Tier I & Tier II

Intervention Fidelity Checklist

Checklist for Tier Components

Referral Checklist

Individual School Paperwork